Four men who carried out a brutal, premeditated attack in North Ormesby in November have been handed long prison terms following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.
Attack described as planned and violent
Prosecutors said the group lay in wait for two men as they parked in the Orme Court area on 7 November 2025. The defendants, who were wearing gloves and face coverings, rammed the victims' car with a Chevrolet before launching an assault with machetes and a BB/pellet gun.
One of the victims, Anthony Dickons, 44, suffered catastrophic blood loss and died several days later in hospital. The other man was left with serious injuries.
Sentences and convictions
The court heard the attack was related to the theft of more than £20,000 in cocaine cash, and that the defendants had planned and executed the assault as an act of revenge. Judge Jonathan Carroll, addressing the motives, suggested the victim who died "may well have had absolutely nothing to do with" the original theft.
| Defendant | Age | Conviction | Minimum term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Caldwell | 26 | Murder; GBH with intent | 30 years |
| Dominic Hall | 25 | Murder; intentional wounding | 28 years |
| Kole James | now 18 (was 17 at time) | Murder; intentional wounding | 26 years (detention) |
| Simpson | 32 | Manslaughter; causing GBH | 14 years |
Family reaction and court remarks
During the sentencing hearing, members of the victim's family addressed the defendants. A sister of the deceased told the court the killers were now seen for what they were.
"cowards"
Judge Carroll characterised the attack as motivated by revenge, and observed the possibility that the man who was killed might not have been connected to the original theft that allegedly prompted the violence.
Local impact and context
The sentences reflect the severity of a violent, organised assault carried out with weapons in a residential area of Middlesbrough. Beyond the immediate criminal proceedings, the case highlights ongoing concerns about drug‑related violence and the use of weapons in disputes linked to controlled substances.
- Attack date: 7 November 2025
- Location: North Ormesby, Orme Court area, Middlesbrough
- Weapons used: machetes and a pellet/BB gun
The prosecution described the defendants as members of a drug gang involved in activity that culminated in the attack. Those affected by the sentence will include the victim's family and the wider Middlesbrough community, who have been reminded of the risks posed by organised drug disputes turning violent.
Police and local authorities have not been quoted in the sentencing report, but the substantial minimum terms imposed indicate the court's view of the attack's gravity. The convictions bring a legal conclusion to the trial phase; families and residents will now look to community partners and law enforcement for answers on prevention and safeguarding against similar crimes in future.
